THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 10TH MARCH, 1880.
223
ely to warrant the inference that in the year 1879 crime was more rife than in 1872 or 1876.
For the admissions to the Gaol in 1879 are less than those in 1872 or 1876, But this is not so. wissions being
the
In 1872,......
1876......
31
1879,......
::
6,268 admissions.
..4,065 .....3,669
}}
33
This showing that although the weekly average of 1879 is larger than that of 1872, the admissions the Graer year are less by 2,599 than in the latter year.
wry
3. I have often heard the remark made during the last two years. "Your numbers still keep high." But as I have already shown we cannot judge by comparison of the weekly average of tate of crime in the Colony at any two periods. The explanation of the difference between the kly avenges of two such years as 1872 and 1879 seems to me to be this. During the last year there be fewer convictions of prisoners for short terms of imprisonment than there used to be formerly. toffeurders when apprehended are either sent to the Supreme Court where they receive long or are sent to prison for six months which is the longest sentence a Magistrate can give. Mani criminal now brought before the Supreme Court receives a long sentence, say seven years. s appears once only in the seven years as an addition to the Gaol, but forms an unit in every by average during that period. Whereas in former years when short sentences were the rule the prisoner might appear five or six different times in one year, and swell up the total of prisoners test during the year.
1. If the number of admissions to the Gaol be any criterion of the state of crime, the Colony is to ratulated on the decrease of crime during the last two years which compare favourably with the sixteen years taking into consideration the increase of pepulation. The admissions daring
Ps vars have been as follows:-
..admissions 3,088.
1871,
..admissions 3,917.
">
3,033.
1872,...
6,268.
>>
3,957.
1873,..
4,280.
6,290.
1874,...
3,281.
""
"
6,688.
1875,..
3,680.
ING.
22
3,896.
1876.
4,065.
"
INEX.
4,546.
1877
3,946.
}
1869.
4,347.
1878.
3,803.
1870...
4,122.
1879.
3,669.
4. This speaks well for the deterrent effect of the discipline at present carried on in the Gaol. The which has attended the adoption of the separate system is in my opinion complete, and only that there seems no near prospect of its more extended application.
At the close of 1878 in accordance with a recommendation, raade on my suggestion by the unksion, which sut under the Chairmanship of Mr. Justice SNOWDEN, an attempt was mode to the separate system on a small scale. Two large basement halls which had been used for parpones were divided off into 46 cells. These were ready for occupation at the close of 1878. ned introducing into there old offenders who were constantly returning to Gaol. From the mlar 1878 to the 30th November 1879, one hundred and three prisoners passed through these mate cells, remaining in them from fourteen days to six months according to their sentences. They employed at oakum picking, string making, tailoring or any other employment for which they
#lipted, and were allowed one hour's exercise in the yard every day.
Train the very commencement, as I anticipated, the prisoners disliked the system and tried every sto escape it. In the first month there were several attempts at suicide, but I found they were i and as the prisoners did not get released thereby, but were in addition subjected to rigorous everal times each day to prevent them from secreting articles which might facilitate attempts at they found it wiser to accept the discipline. The separate cells so far from being injurious to fch of the prisoners have contributed the fewest inmates to the Bospital, only five having been
A via
No. 622 Fever" remained in Hospital from 9th to 18th October.
No. 458 “Constipation" remained in Hospital from 18th to 20th September.
No. 174 “ Observation" remained in Hospital from 12th to 16th May,
No. 580 « Tonsilitis" roatained in Hospital from 30th July to Fith August.
"
No. 116 Diarchica" remained in Hospital from: 15th to 20th June.
The daily hour's vigorous exercise in association has prevented any injurious effects which safe from seclusion." Of the 100 prisoners who passed through the separate colis only three
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